Celebrate Friday The 13th with 13 Most Scary Movies of All Time

An uncanny noise wakes the protagonist up from a sound sleep one night. The camera pans to the clock – it’s 3 am and it happens to be a fear inducing Friday – The Thirteenth. It leaves the protagonist in a tangible shudder; and the ashen pallor on his face is an undeniable evidence of his fear. He breathlessly drinks some water and gets into the blanket with a perennial sense of trauma.

Friday – The 13th is considered as the most unlucky and much dreaded day in the Western Culture. Superstitious it may sound, but there are humongous multitudes that truly believe in it and tend to shirk from boarding a flight, executing normal routine chores and even getting out of the bed.

But for a dedicated Cinephile, the day can be best “celebrated” by watching Horror films. Here’s FilmSpell’s list of 13 choicest of the horror movies (certainly not for the faint hearted) that promise to imbue perpetual quivers while you watch them –

The Shining [1980]

Based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name, this film is the most horrific account of a family going completely crazy in the realms of isolation and solitude of the Hotel Overlook. That is what Stanley Kubrick’s vision of the story was. But for the audiences, there is more to it. The Freudian scenario, profuse ambiguity and innuendos used in the film have a capacity to instil psychological disturbance and a horrifying gloom in an audience. The profound background score manages to create the aura more eerie.

The Exorcist [1973]

Directed by William Friedkin, this film is regarded as the most dangerous and influential horror movies ever made. The highlight of the film was of Dick Smith’s make-up effects. Audience in 1970’s had reportedly fainted watching it.

Sinister [2012]

This one is an undeniably scary show, in which a writer moves to a haunted house with his family. The movie had received very rave reviews from the critics and audience for its innovative narrative and engrossing story line.

Rosemary’s Baby [1968]

In this arcane scenario, a young wife, Rosemary unthinkably starts sensing that her offspring is not from this world. The couple moves to an ominous apartment and the truth is revealed when Rosemary’s Baby is born. The performances are top notch and Roman Polanski’s direction is brilliant.

The Conjuring [2013]

James Wan is believed to be a competent craftsman of modern horror films. Apparently based on a real story, this film is a supernatural scenario that literally gives shivers. The surprise elements are brilliantly catered with staggering background score, which takes the terror to apex.

The Blair Witch Project [1999]

This psychological horror directed by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez is a story of three filmmaking students who embark a formidable paranormal journey to cover the mystery behind Blair Witch incidents. It has the clichéd yet suspense evoking visuals of an abandoned house that contains indistinctive symbols and bloody handprints on the wall, which becomes the highlight of the film.

Paranormal Activity [2007]

It was an avant-garde modus operandi of Oren Peli, which has made this film so special in the horror genre. The film was shot like CCTV videos and with all the patiently shot footages; it definitely makes an audience believe that it is a live and true story. The series had four more films but this is the best of the lot.

Goodnight Mommy [2014]

Using Capgras Syndrome of identical twin boys as a narrative tool, the director duo Veronika Franz and Severin Fala has weaved a creepy tale. The film has a scary premise and the confounding ending which is difficult to decipher makes it preternaturally likable for a horror enthusiast.

The Orphanage [2007]

It is a Spanish horror film in which the female protagonist starts sensing spirits that may lead to find her adopted son. Instead of using cheap thrills, the filmmaker J.A. Bayona focused on creating a believably eerie scenario which was backed by a great performance by Belen Rueda.

Ju-on: The Grudge [2002]

This is arguably the best Japanese horror film, which weaves a creepy vengeance story in the premise of house. The aura created by the vindictive spirits lingering in the haunted apartment evokes perpetual palpitations.

The Babadook [2014]

It is a highly imaginative Australian horror film directed by the debutant filmmaker Jennifer Kent. The story is set in home wherein a monster enters through the pages of a book. The film doesn’t have the usual ghost clichés in it and still manages to scare the audiences.

Drag Me to Hell [2009]

Directed by Sam Raima, this supernatural horror film is sporadically peppered with elements of comedy. The film revolves around the concept of curse. The female protagonist plays a loan officer, who is cursed for denying an extension. What happens next is a sequence of supernatural events. The film is indeed a scary watch.

The Witch [2015]

Directed by Robert Eggers, backed with a very bleak cinematography, this film weaves a story of a family in the backdrop of New England of the 17th century. They set up a farm and subsequently get haunted by the spirits residing there. The film is staggering and gripping historical horror-thriller.

With this list of quivering horrors, FilmSpell wishes all the Cinephiles a creepy Friday – The 13th and a thrillingly scary weekend ahead.